Whilst France Vs Italy is an easily forecastable result, this one is much harder, however, the one thing you can guarantee is that a Calcutta Cup match at Murrayfield will not be one for the purists. Indeed, parents in France may use this as a form of tranquiliser for petit Jacques et Madeleine, who'll be bouncing off the walls after the previous game "mais papa, why are zey all stood still or lying ze ground", "it's is, 'ow you say, ze English / Ecoss-ish quick-ball"
Never a pretty game, and still less so at Murrayfield, this game has something of an oddity to it, an English side more likely to attempt to whip the ball around, against a Scottish side short on quality, but plentiful in spirit roared on by a home crowd.
Perhaps the game swings on how England's youngsters perform, if they can keep their cool the chances will come and Scotland will be clinically dissected. If, however, Scotland are able to get in amongst them and rough em up - a welcome to Murray-field if you will, then they may bludgeon their way to victory.
Overall, I think England have just enough quality and experience to squeak by, though if I were in Aix-en-Provence I would still switch the TV off before this game came on - England by 5
Six Nations Forecasts: Scotland Vs England
posted on 2/2/12
KEIOC
Its funny but i can sort of see that happening... a massive coming out party followed by over confidence...
could lead to some beatings...
Don't see it tho.
posted on 2/2/12
There's probably some truth in that, I think England will improve as the tournament goes on - driven by two things - players coming back, especially Lawes and Tuilagi, and a greater understanding of each other.
However, I don't feel that understanding will come quickly enough to beat France, and possibly not Ireland or Wales
posted on 2/2/12
SARS! is lawes out then? for how long?
I really rate that guy! big big loss. Im really happy now that i choose scotland in the pool :D
posted on 2/2/12
I think it should just be for the first game - England have four players who would usually be in the first XV that are out injured - Lawes and Wood in the scrum, Toby Flood and Manu Tuilagi.
For me Tuilagi is probably the greatest loss, followed by Lawes, Flood and Wood
England have just announced the 22, which is quite a break from the past
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/16824070
posted on 2/2/12
Not a bad looking side all the same. But for me Lawes is a big loss.
u need someone who will really front up to the scots. And he's ur man. Hartley is a good hooker but he wilts like a flower when someone fronts up to him.
Aslo i would be worried about Hodgson. he's solid enough but a little under whelming.
Strettle will be the danger man i think. If they get the ball to him in space... he's a hell or a speedster
posted on 2/2/12
Most of all tho if i was an england fan i would worry about the experience. Sure some of them have experience but most of that experience was gained losing in crucial games, not winning. and thats a real worry.
posted on 2/2/12
Scotland too will be missing key players in the scrum - Kelly Brown is out for the tournament and Alistair Kellock appears to have been dropped, whilst Nathan Hines hasn't been selected (I don't know if that is form, injury or something else), so the Scottish scrum has been denued.
Then Ansbro is out injured and Paterson has retired, all in all Scotalnd have as many issues as England do their. The English selection is interesting in that the players do have big game experience, if not international experience - I think the emergence of the Heineken Cup (which I actually prefer to the Six Nations) will eradicate a lot of the experience problem, though a game away at Murrayfield will be intense, however, I tend to believe that Scotland's greatest backer is the weather, and if it doesn't rain heavily it will take away one of Scotland's strongest cards
posted on 2/2/12
Dingbat - he is a loss - I went to the open training session at Weetwood Hall in Leeds - Lawes is a scary looking unit - he was just watching though with a hoodie on.
I think Hodgson will hopefully surprise a few people - he has been playing under Wilkinson's shadow for more than ten years now and now the 'legend' has retired, you'll now see a ten that can manage to get the back line moving with no slow pass (Wilko) or have a look what is on for me first, have a go, then pop to nobody (Flood). Trusting he plays without the pressure of knowing that Wilko will play if fit. Hodgson is a friend of a friend and I played against him at school - Charlie was never happy involved in an England camp as Wilko was always protected from any contact and that meant Charlie had to stand in and take the smashes - then Wilko/Flood/Cipriani would be in the 22 and Hodgson sent back to Sale. Before Flood, Hodgson was basically the one who got trampled over in training and was only ever brought on if we were losing. It must be really hard to get your head in the right place. Hopefully now he is effectively number one choice for the next few games he will play without any pressure - he knows the two centres outside him - i think we may see the best of him.
Either that or he'll be a complete mess.
posted on 2/2/12
SARS thats a fair point about scotland. They are weakened indeed.
KEIOC.
Very enlightening indeed. Interesting info to be sure but one Caveat for me would be this.
If he was always on the fringe under several (4) different manager, then i have to reach the conclusion that he was just not good enough.
posted on 3/2/12
Your conclusion may well be right - it'll be interesting to see how he plays and whether my second hand insights are correct and he'll play with attacking verve - David Flatman was on Talksport last night saying over the last ten years you could ask any centre which fly half in the prem you'd have passing to you and he reckoned all would say CH.
He may well fall short though - it'll be interesting to see what his defence is like because Scotland will try to run over him early doors a few times I bet. If he puts some respectable tackels in early though hopefully his confidence will soar. Genuinely looking forward to it - I've got a pass out as well so shall be enjoying it in the pub with the lads. I'm excited a tthe moment but come 5 o clock I'll be bricking it